Hydrophilic denture adhesive

ABSTRACT

An improved denture adhesive containing an adhesive polymeric fraction comprising sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) in a hydrophilic vehicle comprising certain polyethylene glycols and, as an optional component in certain forms of the subject adhesives, glycerin, for enhancing pharmaceutical elegance of the final product.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 361,631, filed Mar. 26, 1982, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of applicaion Ser. No. 258,562, filed April 29, 1981, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A highly effective hydrophilic denture adhesive composition is provided comprising a substantially anhydrous mixture of, as one essential component, a polymeric adhesive comprising from about 15 to about 55 percent by weight of the total composition (i.e. w/w) of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and ethylene oxide homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 6:1 to about 1:6, respectively, and, as another essential component, a hydrophilic vehicle comprising from about 45 to about 85 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction with average viscosity of from about 44 to about 25,600 centipoises at about 60° C. Various forms of the subject compositions are available, for example, liquids, creams and powders. Optionally, up to about one-half of the polyethylene glycol fraction may be substituted with glycerin in the non-powder forms of the subject compositions. The denture adhesive composition may also have present colorants, flavoring agents, odorants, sweeteners and other additives in amounts generally employed for their respective intended purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Denture adhesive cream formulations have heretofore been comprised mainly of natural or synthetic polymeric adhesives suspended in an anhydrous oleagenous vehicle system generally consisting of mineral oil and/or petrolatum. These hydrophobic formulations have viscosities ranging from moderately thick to very thick making them difficult to squeeze out evenly and fluidly from the generally employed collapsible tubes or containers. However, this thickness range is necessary to prevent syneresis (i.e., phase separation) from occurring due to the solid adhesive particles being only suspended in the hydrophobic vehicle.

More recently, liquid denture adhesives have been reported containing sodium carboxymethylcellulose and ethylene oxide homopolymer as the solid adhesives suspended in mineral oil (e.g. see U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,936). Examples of such hydrophobic denture adhesives are the products commercially available from Block Drug Company, Inc. in the United States under the trademark "Dentrol" and in West Germany under the trademark "Cedenta", which are believed to contain about 41-45% w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and ethylene oxide homopolymer in a mineral oil base. However, upon standing, considerable phase separation occurs thus requiring a "shake well" indication on the container.

Furthermore, whereas such formulations may be effective in securing dentures quickly within the oral cavity, it may be necessary to apply more than one application per day to obtain sufficient adhesion throughout the day, depending on the fit of the denture and the psychological need of the denture wearer. Such multiple applications are inconvenient and at times impractical or impossible and, therefore, these heretofore known denture adhesive liquids are not totally acceptable and in some cases undesirable.

Whereas these conventional types of denture adhesive creams and liquids have provided good stabilizing/hold properties to denture wearers, some organoleptic negatives have also been perceived with these products. Some of these commonly perceived negatives are, for example, unpleasant mouth feel, bad taste, grittiness, oily sensation in the mouth and difficulty of application and removal from dentures. Another disadvantage is that the salivary fluids have to penetrate a hydrophobic vehicle in order to reach and hydrate the adhesive system. This hydrophobic barrier may cause a time lag before the adhesive is hydrated and starts to work. Due to such slowed rate of hydration of adhesive components, there results a lack of immediate denture hold.

It has therefore been desirable to provide a denture adhesive of superior adherent properties over prolonged periods of time. Such is accomplished with the denture adhesive compositions herein described, a unique combination of an adhesive gum system in a novel hydrophilic vehicle system which eliminates many of the aforementioned disadvantages found with denture adhesives having conventional oleagenous vehicle systems. For example, the hydrophilicity of this unique combination facilitates the penetration of the saliva to the adhesive gum system, thereby allowing quicker hydration, and, therefore, quicker hold. Test results hereinafter demonstrate the stronger hold of the subject compositions. Furthermore, they are available in forms with variable consistencies, for example, liquids, creams and powders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hydrophilic denture adhesive composition which, when in contact with saliva, hydrates within the oral cavity to provide superior adherent properties. The composition comprises two essential components. The first is a polymeric adhesive system comprising from about 15 to about 55 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and ethylene oxide homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 6:1 to about 1:6, respectively. The second is a hydrophilic vehicle comprising from about 45 to about 85 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction with average viscosity of from about 44 to about 25,600 centipoises when measured at about 60° C., generally 60°±2° C.

With regard to the polymeric adhesive component, the sodium carboxymethylcellulose and the ethylene oxide homopolymer constituents are well known and commercially available. Both constituents are powders which, when moistened, become hydrated and tacky or gummy in consistency with adhesive characteristics. The sodium carboxymethylcellulose "gums" employed in this invention are water soluble, anionic, long chain polymers, derived from cellulose. Properties vary with the average number of carboxy methyl groups that are substituted per anhydroglucose unit in each cellulose molecule. This property is generally referred to as "the degree of substitution", with the maximum substitution possible designated as "3.0" since there are just three hydroxy groups capable of reaction in each anhydroglucose unit. For the practice of this invention, it has been found that one or more such cellulose gums having a degree of substitution of from about 0.4 to about 1.2 is suitable. The viscosity of a 1 percent solution of the gum, measured at 25° C., should be in the range of from about 400 to 4,500, preferably 1,500 to 2,500 centipoises.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums of this type are more fully described in "Chemical and Physical Properties: Cellulose Gum," 1978, published by Hercules, Incorporated, Coatings and Specialty Products Department, 910 Market Street, Wilmington, Del. 19899.

As examples of commercially available sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums suitable for use in this invention there may be mentioned those sold by Hercules, Incorporated, Wilmington, Del., as types 4H1, 7H, 9H4, 7H3S, 7H0F and 7H4. Type 7H3S is preferred for use in this invention.

The ethylene oxide homopolymers employed in the composition of the invention are water soluble non-ionic poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers having molecular weights of from about 100,000 to about 5,000,000. The polymers have the structure --O--CH₂ CH₂)_(n) wherein n represents the degree of polymerization and has a value of from about 2,000 to about 100,000. These polymers are white powders.

Poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers of this type are more fully described in "Polyox", 1978, published by Union Carbide Corporation, 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, as Technical Bulletin F-44029B.

As examples of commercially available powdered poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymers suitable for use in this invention there may be mentioned those polymers sold by Union Carbide Corporation under the trademark POLYOX as grades WSR N-10, WSR N-80, WSR N-750, WSR N-3000, WSR -205, WSR -1105 and WSR -301. Preferred for use in this invention is POLYOX WSR -301 homopolymer.

In the compositions of this invention, the polymeric adhesive component comprises from about 15 to about 55 percent w/w, preferably from about 24 to about 50 percent w/w, and most preferably from about 32 to about 42.5 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and ethylene oxide homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 6:1 to about 1:6, respectively. The preferred compositions comprise about 24-50 percent w/w of the two adhesive ingredients and their weight ratio is about 2:1 to about 3.5:1, respectively. In the most preferred embodiments, about 32 to about 42.5 percent w/w of the two ingredients are employed in a respective weight ratio of about 2:1 to about 3:1.

With regard to the hydrophilic vehicle component, the polyethylene glycols suitable for use in the compositions of the invention are also well known and commercially available, for example, those marketed by Union Carbide Corporation under its trademark "Carbowax".

Polyethylene glycols are polymers of ethylene oxide with the generalized formula HOCH₂ (CH₂ OCH₂)_(n) CH₂ OH wherein n represents the average number of oxyethylene groups. These polyethylene glycols, which are designated by a number that represents the average molecular weight, range from clear viscous liquids at room temperature (e.g., PEGs 200, 300, 400 and 600) to soft solids (e.g., PEGs 1000 and 1450) to waxy solids available in the form of flakes or powders (e.g., PEGs 3350 and 8000) to granular solids (e.g., PEG 14,000). All these polymers dissolve in water to form clear solutions and this water solubility feature imparts a hydrophilic characteristic to the compositions of this invention.

The subject compositions comprise from about 45 to about 85 percent w/w, preferably from about 50 to about 76 percent w/w, and most preferably from about 57.5 to about 68 percent w/w, of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) fraction with an average viscosity when measured at about 60° C. of from about 44 to about 25,600 centipoises (cps), preferably from about 44 to about 2,500 cps, and most preferably from about 44 to about 300 cps. Either individual polyethylene glycols or blends of two or more polyethylene glycols within this viscosity range may be utilized. For example, and without being limited thereto, a blend of liquid PEG 400 or PEG 600 and solid PEG 8000 in a respective weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1, has been found particularly suitable for the lotion-like liquids and soft creams of this invention.

The data presented in following Table 1 illustrates the variety of final product consistencies obtainable according to this invention by varying the make-up of the PEG fraction in a particular formulation. In Example 11-A hereafter, a lotion liquid formulation is described which contains 32% w/w adhesives, 10% w/w glycerin and 57.549% PEGs, the latter made up of PEG 400 and PEG 8000 in a 24:1 ratio, respectively. By substituting an equivalent amount of total PEG but in the indicated varying ratios, the following results are obtained:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Vehicle Ratio  PEG Fraction                                                    (PEG 400:      Viscosity** Product                                             PEG 8000)      (cps @ 60° C.)                                                                      Consistency                                         ______________________________________                                         100:0              56          liquid                                          98:2   (49:1)      44          liquid                                          97:3   (32.3:1)    61          liquid lotion                                   94:6   (19:1)      72          liquid lotion                                   92:8   (11.5:1)    94          liquid lotion                                   90:10  (9:1)       94          soft cream                                      80:20  (4:1)       170         cream                                           70:30  (2.3:1)     315         thick cream                                     60:40  (1.5:1)     600         very thick cream                                0:100  (PEG 8000*) 2,500       powder                                          0:100  (PEG 14000*)                                                                               25,600      powder                                          ______________________________________                                          *The 10% w/w glycerin replaced by an equal amount of PEG.                      **Determined on a Brookfield RVT Viscometer.                             

By blending members of the PEG series, different viscosities within the defined range may be obtained, as desired. For example, by utilizing increasing amounts of higher molecular weight PEGs, i.e. more solids than liquids, the resultant viscosity of the polyethylene glycol fraction will also increase (assuming other ingredients in the denture adhesive composition are maintained constant) so that one can readily obtain embodiments of the subject compositions ranging in consistency from viscous liquids to creams to powders. For example, with about 32 percent w/w of the polymeric adhesive and 10 percent w/w of glycerin, a polyethylene glycol fraction having a viscosity at about 60° C. of about 44-95 cps affords a final product with a liquid lotion to soft cream consistency; whereas a polyethylene glycol fraction having a viscosity of about 100-300 cps affords a cream type of final product; whereas a polyethylene glycol fraction above 300 affords a thick creamy product; and whereas a polyethylene glycol fraction having a very high viscosity of about 2500-25,600 cps affords a final product in powder form. This ability to adjust the fluidity of the final product is a particularly advantageous feature of the invention since it affords commercialization of final product forms with consumer acceptable consistencies such as (i) liquids and soft creams, which are readily extrudable from appropriate containers, for example, pump action bottles, squeezable tubes and the like, (ii) thicker creams and (iii) powders, all of which forms are suitable for easy application to dentures.

With regard to the liquid and cream compositions of this invention, one particular ingredient that is preferred and recommended as a substitute for part of the polyethylene glycol fraction is glycerin which has a known soothing effect on oral gum tissue and also affords a pleasant mouth feel and sweetening taste to the finished composition. Due to its humectant character, glycerin also contributes to the hydrophilicity of the finished composition, thereby allowing quicker hydration on contact with moisture or saliva. Thus, although glycerin is not an essential component of the hydrophilic vehicle or of the finished composition, it does enhance the latter's esthetic appearance and acceptability.

It has been found that a significant amount of glycerin can be substituted for the polyethylene glycol fraction, for example, up to about one-half of the latter may be so substituted without any significant detriment to the overall adhesive ability of the finished composition. However, due to the increased cost incurred with high amounts of the relatively expensive glycerin, about 25% w/w of glyverin is recommended as the upper limit wih about 5 to about 15 percent w/w being preferred and about 10 percent w/w most preferred.

Any suitable flavoring agent, colorant, odorant, natural or synthetic sweetener, deodorant, antimicrobial agent, tissue healing agent or other optional ingredient generally employed as an additive in denture adhesives may be utilized in the compositions of this invention, if so desired, so long as such addition is not detrimental to the overall adhesive ability of the compositions. Preferably, up to about 1.0% w/w of such additives may be utilized.

Typical of the compositions encompassed in the present invention are the formulations exemplified in Table 2. The symbol "% w/w" indicates the weight of each ingredient based on the total weight of the particular composition.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Formulation Examples in % w/w                                                             Ex. 1                                                                              Ex. 2                                                                              Ex. 3                                                                              Ex. 4                                                                              Ex. 5                                                                              Ex. 6                                                                              Ex. 7                                                                              Ex. 8                                                                              Ex. 9                                                                              Ex. 10                          __________________________________________________________________________     Polymeric Adhesive:                                                            Na--CMC.sup.1                                                                             24.00                                                                              22.50                                                                              12.00                                                                              18.00                                                                              24.50                                                                              24.00                                                                              40.50                                                                              30.00                                                                              12.00                                                                              40.50                           Polyox.sup.2                                                                              8.00                                                                               9.00                                                                               4.00                                                                               6.00                                                                               7.00                                                                               8.00                                                                               13.50                                                                              10.00                                                                              4.00                                                                               13.50                           Hydrophilic Vehicle:.sup.3                                                     PEG 400    62.96                                                                              59.30                                                                              67.65                                                                              60.443                                                                             49.86                                                                              38.429                                                                             34.47                                                                              47.06                                                                              76.98                                                                              44.20                           PEG 8000   4.739                                                                              3.79                                                                               5.88                                                                               5.256                                                                              3.18                                                                               4.27                                                                               1.07                                                                               2.48                                                                               6.70                                                                               1.37                            Glycerin:  0.00                                                                               5.00                                                                               10.00                                                                              10.00                                                                              15.00                                                                              25.00                                                                              10.00                                                                              10.00                                                                              0.00                                                                               0.00                            Additives:                                                                     Coloring Agent.sup.4                                                                      0.001                                                                              0.01                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.001                                                                              0.01                                                                               0.001                                                                              0.01                                                                               0.01                                                                               0.02                                                                               0.03                            Flavoring Agent.sup.5                                                                     0.30                                                                               0.40                                                                               0.45                                                                               0.30                                                                               0.45                                                                               0.30                                                                               0.45                                                                               0.45                                                                               0.30                                                                               0.40                            Total % w/w:                                                                              100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                                                                             100.00                          __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose type 7H3S.                                .sup.2 Poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer type WSR301.                           .sup.3 Each viscosity between 44 and 300 cps. @ 60°  .sup.±          2° C.                                                                   .sup.4 FD & C Red No. 3.                                                       .sup.5 Premix of mint oils.                                              

The compositions of this invention can be produced by standard compounding techniques. For example, the liquid and cream compositions are readily prepared by heating with stirring the polyethylene glycol fraction to about 65°-70° C. at which temperature any solid or semi-solid polyethylene glycols which may be present are liquified and the fraction has a syrupy gel-like consistency. The sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer constituents of the polymeric adhesive component are mixed together thoroughly and added to the polyethylene glycol fraction, slightly cooled to about 50°-60° C., with constant stirring to obtain a uniform adhesive/vehicle mixture. Any optional additives such as flavor, color and the like may then be incorporated into the adhesive/vehicle mixture. It is recommended, however, that the adhesive/vehicle mixture be cooled to about or slightly below 40° C. before incorporation of any such additives of a volatile character, for example, aromatic flavors, in order to preserve their characteristic essences.

When glycerin is to be included in the final product, it is advantageously added to and mixed into the slightly cooled (about 50°-60° C.) polyethylene glycol fraction prior to admixture with the polymeric adhesive component. The glycerin addition step may also be utilized as a way of carrying any compatible optional additive such as a sweetener, colorant and the like into the final product by simply mixing or dissolving the desired additive in the glycerin beforehand.

The powder compositions of this invention are readily obtained by simple admixture of the two powder constituents, Na-CMC and Polyox, of the polymeric adhesive component with the powder PEG fraction of the hydrophilic vehicle component. The preferred polyethylene glycol for making the powder compositions is PEG 8000 alone. It is recommended that granular forms of polyethylene glycol, such as PEG 14,000, be pulverized to a fine powder prior to admixture with the polymeric adhesive powders.

The denture adhesive compositions of this invention possess superior and unexpected adhesion/cohesion properties as measured by the Texturometer evaluation test. The term Texturometer is a trademark for an instrument manufactured and sold by C. W. Brabender Instruments, Inc. of Hackensack, N.J. which enables a quantitative measurement of textural parameters of products. The instrument mechanically simulates the chewing motions of the human jaws. A plunger is driven through the test sample (approx. 3 ml) held in a sample holder under which there is a strain-gauge hooked up to a high-speed chart recorder. The instrument draws force-time curves which are indicative of the cohesive/adhesive ability of the test sample. The plunger is driven through the test sample at the rate of 12 times per minute and the chart paper speed is 1500 mm per minute.

The test sample is prepared by uniformly mixing the product to be tested with distilled water in a small mortar and pestle at a ratio of one part by weight of product to four parts by weight of water. The areas under the cohesion and adhesion parts of the force-time curves are measured and these areas are a measure of the cohesive/adhesive abilities of the hydrated adhesive formulation, i.e., the larger the areas, the greater such abilities. After the initial measurement, the test sample is kept undisturbed in a tightly covered petri-dish (to prevent evaporation) for 5 hours at 25° C. and then retested. Accordingly, in Tables 3-6 hereafter, the tabulated numbers indicating the observed Texturometric evaluations represent areas under the cohesion/adhesion Texturometric curves.

Examples of especially preferred and presently considered best mode denture adhesive compositions of this invention, in liquid lotion form, are obtained from the following formulations:

    ______________________________________                                                              A        B                                                Ingredient           % w/w    % w/w                                            ______________________________________                                         Sodium carboxymethylcellulose                                                                       24.0     31.875                                           (CMC 7H3S)                                                                     Poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer                                                                    8.0      10.625                                           (Polyox WSR-301)                                                               PEG 400              55.247   --                                               PEG 600              --       44.354                                           PEG 8000             2.302    2.831                                            Glycerin             10.0     10.0                                             FD & C Red #3        0.001    0.001                                            Flavor (mint)        0.45     0.314                                            ______________________________________                                    

In a stainless steel vessel, add the PEG 400 (Example 11-A) or the PEG 600 (Example 11-B) and PEG 8000 and mix while heating to a temperature of about 65° C. Stir well using a lightnin stirrer. After the PEG mixture is dissolved, the heat is removed and the mixture transferred to a kitchen aid mixer for continued mixing at medium speed for 15 minutes (recorded temperature=56° C.). In a separate stainless steel vessel, the dye is added to the glycerin and mixed using a lightnin stirrer until dye is completely dissolved throughout the glycerin (about 10 mins.). The dye/glycerin solution is added to the PEG mixture and admixed for about 5 minutes (recorded temperature=48° C.). The CMC and Polyox powders are mixed together and added to the dye/glycerin/PEG batch in the kitchen aid mixer with stirring. Mixing is continued for about 10 minutes (recorded temperature=42° C.). The batch is allowed to cool to 40° C. or slightly below and then the flavor is added and intimately mixed in for about 30 minutes. The resultant denture adhesive composition is a pink viscous material which turns into a smooth soft mass upon wetting and mixing with water or saliva.

The unexpected superiority of the compositions of the present invention is demonstrated by the Texturometer evaluation data set forth in Table 3 wherein the compositions of Examples 4 and 11-A are tested and compared with a conventional commercial product available under the brand name "Dentrol" which has the same adhesive ingredients but in a hydrophobic mineral oil vehicle rather than the hydrophilic PEG vehicle of this invention. The adhesive/cohesive properties of the tested hydrated products are evaluated initially and again after 5 hours.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Texturometric Evaluations*                                                             COHESION     ADHESION                                                          (sq. mm.)    (sq. mm.)                                                 Test              After            After                                       Product   Initial 5 Hours    Initial                                                                              5 Hours                                     ______________________________________                                         Dentrol   279     568         71    37                                         Ex. 4     418     495        235   305                                         Ex. 11-A  493     989        243   588                                         ______________________________________                                          *Numbers represent areas under cohesion/adhesion Texturometric curves.   

The data listed in Table 3 shows clearly the unexpected and superior nature of the cohesion and adhesion parameters obtained with compositions of this invention. Particularly noteworthy is the marked increase in both cohesion and adhesion abilities of the subject compositions after 5 hours. In contrast, the measured adhesion of the comparative commercial product decreased significantly, almost 50% after 5 hours. This marked increase in both cohesion and adhesion after keeping for 5 hours, characteristic of the subject compositions, is even more surprising since it might be expected that with passing of time the water of hydration, considering the hydrophilicity of the subject compositions, might weaken rather than strengthen the structure of such compositions. The superiority of the preferred composition of Example 11-A is especially demonstrated by an almost two-fold increase in its cohesive ability both initially and after 5 hours over the comparative commercial product and a three-fold increase initially and a remarkable sixteen-fold increase after 5 hours in its adhesive ability.

In following table 4, the effect of increasing the adhesive level from 12 to 50% w/w while keeping the Na-CMC to Polyox ratio constant at 3:1 in the formulation of Example 11-A is illustrated. In each instance, the total PEG fraction is adjusted accordingly although the 24:1 ratio of PEG 400 (55.247% w/w) to PEG 8000 (2.302% w/w) is maintained constant. Also illustrated in Table 4 is the effect of varying the Na-CMC to Polyox ratio from 6:1 to 1:6 in the formulation of Example 11-A while keeping the total adhesive level constant at 32% w/w. The commercial product "Dentrol" is also compared.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Texturometric Evaluations                                                      Test         COHESION      ADHESION                                            Product      (sq. mm.)     (sq. mm.)                                           Na--CMC/Polyox        After 5         After 5                                  % w/w   Ratio    Initial  Hours  Initial                                                                               Hours                                  ______________________________________                                         12*     3:1       56       75     15     29                                    24      "        418      495    235    305                                    32      "        493      989    243    588                                    40      "        1064     1906   493    1222                                   42.5    "        869      1845   468    1390                                   50      "        1090     2757   519    1305                                   32      6:1      729      1531   390    782                                    "       4.5:1    802      1533   397    659                                    "       3:1      493      989    243    588                                    "       1.5:1    592      1206   356    666                                    "       1:1      680      1230   458    551                                    "       1:2      342      900    223    460                                    "       1:3      298      751    164    409                                    "       1:6      295      599    163    352                                    Dentrol          279      568     71     37                                    ______________________________________                                          *unacceptable                                                            

As the data illustrates, increasing the adhesive concentration, from the unacceptable 12% w/w level to 50% w/w increases product performance while maintaining the Na-CMC to Polyox ratio constant (3:1). A similar pattern is observed when the ratio is maintained at 2:1. Superior product performance is also observed when the adhesive concentration is maintained constant (32% w/w) and the Na-CMC to Polyox ratio is varied from 6:1 to 1:6. Within this range, optimum performance is observed to be within 6:1 to 1:2.

As noted heretofore, the use of glycerin in the liquid and cream denture adhesives of this invention is optional. While preferred for purposes of enhancing the pharmaceutical elegance of the final product, the following Texturometer evaluation data in Table 5 demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of the subject compositions relative to their cohesion and adhesion abilities either without glycerin as in Example 1, with 10% w/w glycerin as in Example 11-A and with 25% w/w glycerin as in Example 6. It should be noted that the excellent results obtained with 25% w/w glycerin clearly indicate that even more glycerin could be utilized as part of the vehicular polyethylene glycol fraction, up to about one-half of said fraction being advantageously so employed.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Texturometric Evaluations                                                                 COHESION    ADHESION                                                           (sq. mm.)   (sq. mm.)                                               Test    % w/w             After         After                                  Product Glycerin Initial  5 Hours                                                                               Initial                                                                               5 Hours                                ______________________________________                                         Ex. 1    0%      825      1163   356    682                                    Ex. 11-A                                                                               10%      493       989   243    588                                    Ex. 6   25%      685      1523   358    699                                    ______________________________________                                    

The following two formulations illustrate preferred embodiments of the subject compositions in powder form:

    ______________________________________                                                        Example 12  Example 13                                          Ingredient     32% Adhesive                                                                               40% Adhesive                                        ______________________________________                                         Na--CMC (7H3S) 24% w/w     30% w/w                                             Polyox (WSR-301)                                                                               8% w/w     10% w/w                                             PEG 8000 (powder)                                                                             68% w/w     60% w/w                                                            100% w/w    100% w/w                                            ______________________________________                                    

The Texturometric data obtained from these two dental adhesive powders showed that both formulations (32% and 40% adhesive components) afforded outstanding cohesion/adhesion properties, which properties were equal to or greater than those shown for the preferred liquid lotion formulation of Example 11-A. The comparative data are shown in Table 6:

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Texturometric Evaluations                                                                COHESION    ADHESION                                                           (sq. mm.)   (sq. mm.)                                                                    After           After                                      Test Product                                                                               Initial 5 Hrs.    Initial                                                                              5 Hours                                    ______________________________________                                         Ex. 11-A    493      989      243   588                                        Ex. 12      844     1225      468   591                                        Ex. 13      1376    2155      663   1227                                       ______________________________________                                    

The present invention thus provides a superior denture adhesive composition in powder form comprising the following formulation: (a) about 24-30% w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, (b) about 8-10% w/w of poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer and (c) about 60-68% w/w of polyethylene glycol 8000.

The foregoing in-vitro Texturometric evaluation data tabulated in Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the effectiveness of the denture adhesive compositions of this invention. When in contact with moistened denture plates, gums and saliva, the subject compositions hydrate within the oral cavity to provide superior denture stabilizing properties not possessed by heretofore known denture adhesives, the latter generally having hydrophobic vehicles for the adhesive components rather than hydrophilic vehicles as with the subject compositions.

In general, furthermore, the subject compositions will form a clear gel-like mass (upon mixing with water or saliva) whereas conventional products with hydrophobic vehicles form an opaque, very oily mass. Esthetically, the clear gel-like mass is more acceptable to the user. 

We claim:
 1. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 15 to about 55 percent w/w sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 6:1 to about 1:6, respectively; and (b) from about 45 to about 85 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising one or more polyethylene glycols each having a number average molecular weight of from 200 to 20,000 and said fraction having a viscosity of from about 44 to about 25,600 centipoises at about 60° C.
 2. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 24 to about 50 percent w/w sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3.5:1 respectively; and (b) from about 50 to about 76 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising one or more polyethylene glycols each having a number average molecular weight of from about 200 to 20,000 and said fraction having a viscosity of from about 44 to about 2,500 centipoises at about 60° C.
 3. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 32 to about 42.5 percent w/w sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3:1, respectively; and (b) from about 57.5 to about 68 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising one or more polyethylene glycols each having a number average molecular weight of from 200 to 20,000 and said fraction having a viscosity of from about 44 to about 2,500 centipoises at about 60° C.
 4. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 15 to about 55 percent w/w sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3.5:1, respectively; and (b) from about 45 to about 85 percent w/w of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising one or more polyethylene glycols each having a number average molecular weight of from 200 to 20,000 and said fraction having a viscosity of from about 44 to about 300 centipoises at about 60° C.
 5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said polyethylene glycol fraction comprises a mixture of PEG 400 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1, respectively.
 6. The composition of claim 4 wherein said polyethylene glycol fraction comprises a mixture of PEG 600 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1, respectively.
 7. The composition of claim 4 wherein up to about one-half of said polyethylene glycol fraction is substituted with glycerin.
 8. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 15 to about 55 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3.5:1, respectively; (b) up to about 25 percent w/w of glycerin; and (c) substantially the remainder of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising one or more polyethylene glycols each having a number average molecular weight of from 200 to 20,000 and said fraction having a viscosity of from about 44 to about 300 centipoises at about 60° C.
 9. The composition of claim 8 wherein said polyethylene glycol fraction comprises a mixture of PEG 400 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1, respectively.
 10. The composition of claim 8 wherein said polyethylene glycol fraction comprises a mixture of PEG 600 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1, respectively.
 11. The composition of claim 8 wherein (b) comprises from about 5 to about 15 percent w/w of said glycerin.
 12. The composition of claim 8 wherein (b) comprises about 10 percent w/w of said glycerin.
 13. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) from about 24 to about 50 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3.5:1, respectively; (b) from about 5 to about 15 percent w/w of glycerin; and (c) substantially the remainder of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising a mixture of PEG 400 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1 respectively.
 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein (a) comprises about 32 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3:1, respectively.
 15. The composition of claim 13 wherein (a) comprises about 42.5 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 3:1, respectively.
 16. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of a substantially anhydrous mixture of:(a) about 32 percent w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose and poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer in a weight ratio of about 3:1, respectively; (b) about 10 percent w/w glycerin; (c) up to about 0.5 percent w/w of flavoring and coloring agents; and (d) substantially the remainder of a polyethylene glycol fraction comprising a mixture of PEG 400 and PEG 8000 in a weight ratio of from about 9:1 to about 33:1 respectively.
 17. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of:(a) about 24% w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose; (b) about 8% w/w of poly(ethylene oxide) hompolymer; (c) about 55.25% w/w of polyethylene glycol 400; (d) about 2.3% w/w of polyethylene glycol 8000; (e) about 10% w/w of glycerin; and (f) about 0.45% w/w of flavoring and coloring agents.
 18. A denture adhesive composition consisting essentially of:(a) about 31.9% w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose; (b) about 10.6% w/w of poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer; (c) about 44.4% w/w of polyethylene glycol 600; (d) about 2.8% w/w of polyethylene glycol 8000; (e) about 10.0% w/w of glycerin; and (f) about 0.3% w/w of flavoring and coloring agents.
 19. A denture adhesive composition in powder form consisting essentially of:(a) about 24-30% w/w of sodium carboxymethylcellulose; (b) about 8-10% w/w of poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer; and (c) about 60-68% w/w of polyethylene glycol
 8000. 